Emerson, Lake and Palmer “Tarkus”

Today’s Cool Album Of the Day (#136 in the Series) is Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Tarkus.

Many different album to chose from here. Trilogy, Pictures at an Exhibition, Works and of course, Brain Salad Surgery. However, Tarkus it is.

This is yet another album that features one song on a full side. How many of those have I had already? I know there was Close to the Edge, Smallcreep’s Day, Terrapin Station and Autobahn. Plus I know Suppers Ready will come sooner or later. Maybe a little In-a-gadda-da-vida?

The title track Tarkus Makes up all of side one. It is broken into seven parts

Eruption

Stones of Years

Iconoclast

Mass

Manticore

Battlefield

Aquatarkus

Side two features a couple classic ELP songs as well. Jeremy Bender and of course, Bitches Crystal.

I saw the band about four times when they were touring in the late 90s. I was really surprised when they added Bitches Crystal to the show. I don’t remember seeing them do that when I would see them ‘back in the day.’ It really was one of the highlights of the show. It was an excellent live version.

Greg Lake produced Tarkus. It was released in 1971.

The cover art was created by William Neal, He also was responsible for the graphics for ELPs follow up, Pictures at an Exhibition.

It reached #9 on the Billboard Top Album Charts.

Here’s a live video of Tarkus. It’s broken into two parts. It’s followed by Bitches Crystal